Roller Door sticks open or closed
Sticky doors can be annoying, the dog gets out when you go to work, the local tea leaf takes off with your new bike. Not enjoyable in the slightest. First things you can check are the batteries on your remote control, if this is not sending a strong signal you will have issues with the roller door not doing what it should be. Check for obstructions in the guide/track first being careful not to put fingers in this area for safety. Have you used a lubricant that is not suitable for the door previously or is the guide quite dirty or dusty ? Is the door even or does it look to be unlevel ? If so a technician will be required.
The Roller Door shakes and shimmies going down
This is generally caused by the roller door having ‘bagged up’ at the top or running uneven. You can carefully try and close the door with pressure on the side that is higher on the way down. Generally this will need a technician to repair. Another reason for a roller door ‘jumping’ on the way down can be incorrectly set torsion springs, leaving the motor to do all the work – this can dramatically shorten the life of your roller door motor.
Loud Screeching Noises When Operating the Garage Door
Loud grinding, jumping action, screeching or squealing usually means there is dirt and dust in the tracks of the door.Try to clean the entire track out with a cloth, be sure not to use harsh chemicals on the guides. Relubricate. Not recommended to use WD-40 and other similar lubricants on the door guides.
Roller Door closes too quickly when closing
Generally caused by loose torsion springs which should be serviced as soon as possible. This can put great strain on the motor dramatically shortening the life of the motor. If the springs on your motor break then this can also pose a danger to people. Do not attempt to replace torsion springs if you are not a trained door tech.
Remote Control Door Opener Fails to Work
Check that the door opens from the open/close button on the motor. If lights are evident on the motor then check you batteries on remote. Further issues will require a door technician.
Door opener does not operate with either the remote or the wall switch.
Check that there is power to the motor by plugging in another appliance into the power source. If that item is working then the issue is with the motor itself and a service tech may be required.
Obstructions
Check the guides to make sure that there are no obstructions in the way. We had a call out once where a small plant bamboo stake had slipped into the guide which caused the door to stop 2/3rds down and return.
Obstructions can cause problems for both manually and electrically operated garage doors. This can be as simple as stones and pebbles stopping an automatic door closing fully which will usually result in the door opening again. Sometimes objects can fall into the garage door mechanism which can jam doors and stop them moving completely. We once came across a situation where a gardening spade fell into a garage door arm once the door had been closed and prevented it from opening, so it is worth making sure that you don’t leave anything unsecured that could potentially cause problems.
Guides and windlocks
If your roller door has become heavier than usual or your motor appears to be struggling to life the door something to check before calling a roller door tech is the guides and windlocks. If the windlocks appear to be scrubbing out on the guides the door may require some adjustment. Also check if the guides are clear to prevent issues from occuring. if the guides feel dirty or full of grit then it is advised to wipe them out with a clean rag and go from there.
Garage Door Springs
Springs are the most important part of your roller door. The torsion spring that runs across the top of the door does nearlly all the work. Contrary to popular belief, the motor actually just works ‘with’ the spring to lift the door. If the spring breaks or needs retorsioning then the motor will not last long working alone. when the springs fail your door becomes a lot heavier, putting much more strain on the motor itself. Repairs to springs should be completed by a service tech for safety reasons.
Roller Door Lubrication
Roller Doors do not usually need excessive amounts of lubrication. It is not recommended to use ‘spray type’ lubricant on roller doors. A heavier lubricant suitable for chains or gears is usually best.